Mission

Chirping About ...

Rare Bird Sightings

Our Web site's Bird Board is becoming quite a phenomenon and is arguably the heartbeat of our organization. Biscayne Nature Center recently posted one of our rare bird updates on its Instagram feed to 1,000 followers. Their team "loves" the "wildlife work" being done by TAS Field Trip Leader and Board Director Brian Rapoza, who elaborates here about the sighting that has everyone in the Birding community abuzz:

"This story has gotten more and more interesting with each passing day," Rapoza notes. "The Bananaquit sighting on Saturday, April 22, inspired our own Rafael Galvez [a TAS advisory board member] to take his tour group to Crandon Park on Sunday the 23rd. They didn't spot the Bananaquit, but they did find a mega-rare Fork-tailed Flycatcher! Birders searching for the Bananaquit and Flycatcher on Monday [April 24] found a mega-rare Thick-billed Vireo! Tuesday [April 25], all three rarities were seen, along with a female Western Spindalis (from the Bahamas)!"

Rapoza explains that this is a phenomenon known to Birders as the "Patagonia Picnic Table Effect," as demonstrated by the hordes of birders now flocking from far and wide to Crandon Park hoping to catch a glimpse of these rare birds.

Wednesday [April 26], a Bahama Mockingbird appeared and the Bananaquit was rediscovered. Today [April 27], a male Western Spindalis was sighted. Rapoza speculates that Hurricane Mitchell, which ravaged the Bahamas last fall, is possibly the cause of this unprecedented invasion of Bahamian birds. "There's likely a major shortage of food as a result of the hurricane, so many of their birds are coming here to eat. Who knows what we'll see next," Rapoza exclaims.

Hats off to our TAS Birding leaders for their dedication and enthusiasm!